80°
YONKERS, N.Y. – A Yonkers casino has hit the jackpot and is spreading the wealth around New York state.
Of the nine racetrack casinos statewide, Empire City Casino was responsible for generating $23 million in tax revenue in July, according to a state Division of Lottery report. That is nearly one-third of the $71 million raised for education last month through gaming.
“One of every three dollars generated for education this month in gaming was done so right here at Empire City Casino,” Tim Rooney, Jr., of Empire City Casino, said in a news release. “We have produced well over $1.5 billion dollars for education since opening and we look forward to increasing that support for schools in Yonkers and across this state.”
The $23 million raised in the summer month at Empire City was enough to support the equivalent of 1,977 average paying teaching jobs for the month, the casino reports.
And Empire City’s recent financial windfall is hitting close to home, generating more than $150 million directly for the Yonkers School District over the past five years.
“Empire City Casino continues to prove its worth and contribution to Yonkers and New York State,” Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said. “These dollars generated by Empire City provide one of the greatest sources of educational funding for our students and their future, and we support the casino’s ongoing development which will serve our schools and our city.”
Statewide, the nine racetrack casinos that comprise the New York Gaming Association has enjoyed a profitable first half to 2012, generating $620 million in tax revenue for New York in the past six months. In contrast, the Las Vegas Strip and Atlantic City generated $329 million for Nevada and New Jersey combined, nearly $291 million less than New York Gaming Association members.
Comments